Lakelovers September Guide

What’s On in the Lake District this September

September is the start of a new school term and all about getting back into routines. Not for everyone though. For many, September is the ideal time to leave busy schedules behind and to enjoy a quiet and peaceful break away in the rural Lake District countryside. Just as the Summer crowds leave the Lakes, a lovely warm and dry Indian Summer often arrives as the season’s change.  

Fiery autumn colours start to appear in September, and the events calendar in the Lake District starts to heat up too. Here are our highlights for September this year:

Holker Chilli Fest – Grange-Over-Sands

7 September – 8 September 2019

A two-day fiery, fun festival with chilli aficionados coming together from all over the country for a celebration of tasty spicy food. Pick up some quirky gifts, enjoy cuisine from around the world, take in the fiery entertainment and kids activities, as well as enjoying the stunning Holker estate and gardens. The chilli eating competition is a highlight for many but you’ll find something for everyone, with Lake District foodie favourites like Cartmel Cheeses, More? The Artisan Bakery and Kin Vodka!

Grasmere Guzzler

6 September – 8 September 2019

The most welcoming beer and music festival you will encounter. After 13 years, the Grasmere Guzzler has a loyal following, promising ‘a weekend to remember’. Like all good festivals, there’s a strong live music line-up for 2019, a BBQ and other foodie delights along with 100 beers to sample. The festival takes place in the famous Tweedies Bar in the iconic Grasmere valley.

The Tour of Britain – Kendal

10 September 2019

For a second year, the Lake District is hosting part of the UK’s hottest sporting event, The Tour of Britain. It is a multi-stage cycling race held in stages across the country, and stage four takes competitors from Gateshead to Kendal in what is set to be the toughest section of the race. It is a very impressive sporting event with over 170 riders covering 170km. For spectators in the Lakes, the famous Beast Banks hill finish in Kendal is the place to be, with 10,000 spectators turning up in 2016 when the Lake District last hosted a stage in the race.

Westmorland County Show – Crooklands

12 September

Located on the fringe of the Lake District, just 15-minutes from Kendal, this is one of the largest one-day agricultural shows in the UK and also 2018 Tourism Event of the Year 2018. Held annually on the second Thursday in September attracting up to 30,000 visitors, this event is firmly on the calendar of locals and visitors alike. The show’s roots are firmly in livestock, pigs, sheep, cows, heavy horses, hens and also artisan crafts and offers a well-stocked Food Hall. This is a well-supported show, with over 350 stalls and demonstrations, including celebrity chefs like Simon Rimmer. This is the place to discover the best of farming life in the Lake District and enjoy a real taste of the region.

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Beginners Navigation Course – Bowness

14 September 2019

Learn from experts how to plan your own walking routes with confidence and with no previous experience needed. Navigating from an OS map can be a bit daunting until you have the skills and know-how to set you on your way. This one-day navigation course is run in very small groups giving you maximum attention. You will learn to take a 6 figure grid reference for any given position, estimate distance on both map and ground and choose simple navigation strategies and routes, plus lots more. The amount of detail on an OS map really is amazing and you will leave this course inspired and confident to get out exploring the Lakes this September.

Scafell Pike Sunset Walk – Scafell Pike

21 September 2019

Scafell is the most iconic mountain in the Lakes and this amazing walk takes trekkers up to the summit to raise a glass of champagne as you watch the sunset over the highest mountain in England. The 3-hour summit walk starts at Wasdale Head, looking across Wastwater, a view that was voted Britain’s favourite. You return in darkness back down the mighty Scafell Pike to the iconic Wasdale Head Inn to relax by a campfire. This is an experience that is full of splendour and with a photographer on hand, it will be captured perfectly.

Afternoon Tea in the castle – Muncaster Castle

22 September

Afternoon Tea at Muncaster Castle is a special occasion not to be missed. This haunted 13th-century castle lies just outside the coastal town of Ravenglass in the western Lake District and is only a 1-hour drive from Windermere.

Afternoon Tea takes place in the beautiful Billiard Room with feature panelling and ornate plaster ceiling, looking out onto the castle lawns. Afternoon Tea is a special affair at Muncaster Castle and needs to be booked in advance to avoid disappointment. As well as a sumptuous banquet, tickets include the beautiful ‘Sky Hunters Bird Display’ at Muncaster Castle’s spectacular Owl and Hawk Centre. As the season’s change, enjoying a delightful tea ceremony followed by a stroll on this remarkable estate is unforgettable.

Torchlight Festival – Kendal

27 – 28 September 2019

Attracting up to 30,000 people, this is a truly unique event for every age. Let imaginations run wild with this year’s theme of ‘Made in the Lakes’, where adults and kids alike can get involved with the lantern procession. The magical procession takes place on Friday with the festival finishing with the famous Kendal Street Party on Saturday. Expect decorated floats, vehicles, dancing troups and marching musicians. This is a creative and fun event for everyone and a wonderful way to celebrate the changing seasons.

From upbeat attractions to beating your own drum, there’s something for everyone in the Lake District this September. A short break in the Lakes can be just what is needed for that holiday fix and with lots of hot offers this September you can come and enjoy one of the most spectacular seasons in the Lake District. Alternatively, perhaps you’d like to pick from our portfolio of luxury dog-friendly cottages.  View our Inspire Me pages to discover parts of the Lake District that you have not been to before. We look forward to welcoming you to an illuminating Lake District this September.

Download our Lakelovers September Guide here.